WEBVTT ANGELA: THAT'S RIGHT.AS A MATTER OF FACT WE STOPPEDBY THAT FARMER EARLIER TODAY TOSEE FOR OURSELVES WHAT WAS GOINGON.WE WERE NOT ALLOWED ON THEPROPERTY.THE OWNERS RELEASED THISSTATEMENT AND ALSO THE D.P. ISCONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION.THE 500 ACRE FARM SITS INNORTHERN OKEECHOBEE COUNTY JUSTOFF OF NORTHEAST 54TH TRAIL.ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OFENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,INVESTIGATORS RECEIVED ACOMPLAINT ABOUT BURNHAM DAIRYFARM ON NOVEMBER 2 AND CONTACTEDTHE OWNERS ON THE SAME DAY.THE CONCERNS -- DECEASED COWSLEFT DECOMPOSING NEAR WATER ANLIVING COWS, AND POSSIBLE GROUNDWATER AFFECTED.WE REACHED OUT TO OKEECHOBEECOUNTY AND HEALTH OFFICIALS ANDWE LEARNED THAT ONE OF THEOWNERS CONTACTED THE D.E.P. THEDAY AFTER THE COMPLAINT ANDPROVIDED THESE PHOTOS SHOWINGCOMPLIANCE.DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS CONDUCTEDANOTHER INSPECTION ON NOVEMBER13 AND DETERMINED THE DEAD COWSWERE PROPERLY DISPOSED OF ANDFOUND NO SERVICE WATER WASCONNECTED TO THE DISPOSAL AREA.BURNHAM FARMS IS A MEMBER SOUTHEAST MILK INCORPORATED.WE REACHED OUT TO THE CEO ANDHE TELLS ME THEY LAUNCHED ININVESTIGATION WHEN THEY LEARNEDABOUT THE COMPLAINT.>> THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANTISSUE THAT WE REALLY NEED TO DOSOMETHING TO BE PROACTIVE, SHOWOUR CUSTOMERS THAT SMI IS REALIN TUNE WITH WHAT IS TAKINGPLACE AND HOPEFULLY THIS WILLNEVER OCCUR AGAIN.ANGELA: AND THE CEO TELLS ME THEFARM IS ON PROBATIONARY STATUSAND HE GOING TO INSTITUTE AMANDATORY TRAINING FOR MEMBERSTO START WITHIN THE NEXT FOUR

An onsite Complaint Investigation Inspection was conducted on November 13, 2017 and according to the complaint, at that time, no bovine carcasses were observed.

The facility indicated to inspectors that the carcasses had been disposed of by burial.

Photos were also provided to investigators.

The DEP also inspected the wastewater treatment and disposal system for the facility, the monitoring wells, stalls and wastewater discharge site.

They stated no surface water connections were found from either the production area or burial site.

Burnham Dairy Farms is a member of Southeast Milk Inc., which is a cooperative of family-owned dairies.

Southeast Milk Inc., CEO Jim Sleper said they launched in investigation when they learned about the complaint.

"This is such an important issue that we really need to do something, to be proactive show our customers that SMI is really in tune with what has taken place and hopefully this will never occur again," said Sleper.

Sleper said he is also going to institute mandatory training with members within the next four weeks.

Sleper released a statement which in part reads:

"SMI is working with the FARM program, which has activated its official protocol for Willful mistreatment requiring an inspection by an outside, 3rd party auditor. The program has placed Burnham Dairy Farm on probationary status pending the completion of any and all corrective actions deemed necessary by the third-party auditor and the FARM program. These actions demonstrate SMI's ongoing commitment to the proper care and responsible treatment of our member farms' animals. Animal care and well-being is paramount to our operations at SMI and its dairy farmer owners and will work with our member dairies to do better, for our customers, our community and our cows.”